Entry tags:

!completed gdoc, [portal] midnight harbour, karl marsten (reformedish), nick sorrentino (werewolf_nicky), scott mccall (lacrosse_wolf), ~2023 september

Who: Nick, Scott M, and Karl
What: running into some other wolves
When: Sept 9th?
Where: The Midnight Portal
Rating: TBD

Karl didn’t particularly feel a need to go check out the Portal, but he wanted to be sure Nick had a Packmate with him in case they ran into trouble. While Karl didn’t mind Scott and thought he was probably a good Alpha for his Pack, it was really only the opinions of Elena and Nick that ensured Karl’s somewhat favourable opinion. Of course, Karl tended to be a bit standoffish in general, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he felt the need to go with Nick.

“This place seems to have it all,” Karl commented after the trio stopped for coffee and carried on with their walk/exploration. Apparently werewolves frequenting a witch’s coffee shop surprised a good amount of witches which made him wonder about the relations between the two.

---

Nick didn’t notice anything amiss, intent to be polite and purchase a double Americano. The Italian in him always liked a good espresso drink. But more than a couple witches muttered to themselves about wolves entering their coffee shop.

As they walked, Nick noticed a young mother with pointed ears. “I know we have a few Fae back in Madison, but it still throws me to see pointed ears and Fae.”

---

Scott was aware he was basically in a supernatural-centric city. It was definitely a big change of pace to even Madison where there was a lot of variety. It made Scott feel a little more acutely aware of his surroundings somehow. He suspected it was because the vast majority of supernaturals in Beacon Hill wanted him dead for one reason or another.

“In some worlds, we’re considered Fae too, which is weird to think about.” Like this place, he assumed anything Fae would have pointed ears. “Even the Leprechaun guy back in Madison doesn’t have pointed ears.” He offered a smile to someone passing by him out the door, but got a cold reception. “I’m not sure people like werewolves all that much here.” Or at least, the people they were encountering.

---

Karl considered the only fey he vaguely recognized back in Madison. Alyssa didn’t have pointed ears and, as far as he knew, no affliction to iron. And, while Karl didn’t know Rhysand, he’d seen the Fae around town. Okay, wait, no Rhysand possessed pointed ears right? “What about that Rhys guy? I think he has pointed ears? Probably I could text Rory to ask, but I think she’s with Hope anyway.” Or maybe that was tomorrow? Karl couldn’t remember.
“I find it strange that some worlds consider us fae, when our world doesn’t have fae.” They had other supernaturals, but no fae. “What about you Scott?”

---

Nick might not always notice things, but he did keep an eye on Scott keeping an eye on everything. He didn’t want anything to happen to his friend. The Americano in his hand, he did ask, “Maybe we should ask someone if they know of a werewolf friendly coffee place? At least they haven’t tried to play fetch with us or kill us?” Although the killing seemed potentially still on the table.

He’d just opened his mouth when he heard a voice, “Why the fuck are you frequenting a witch’s business?” Oh kay. Nick turned to look and, while he smelled werewolf, it wasn’t like anything in his world or Madison.

“Um. Hi? I’m Nick. This is Karl and the very polite person holding the door is Scott.” He angled himself so that the trio moved away from the door and the business.

---

“I don’t mind being called Fae if that’s what people know.” Scott was answering Karl. “But back home, I don’t think we have that either. I mean, we have other supernaturals, but I haven’t come across a Faerie or anything. I guess the closest are druids? A druid usually serves a pack with guidance and stuff.” He missed Deaton a lot.

It didn’t really occur to Scott there’d be supernatural-specific locations here. It was no doubt a naive thought, but came out of the fact that Scott’s pack was an array of humans and other creatures. He didn’t see one as superior than the other. In fact, Scott thought there was an advantage to having multiple skills and abilities in one pack.

Scott offered a friendly, but cautious smile and held up his hand in a stationary-wave greeting, only letting the door go once everyone was out and on the street. “Are we not supposed to go there?” Now Scott was wondering if a werewolf specific coffee place sold different drinks. Like specialty flavours only werewolves would like?

“We’re new in town.”

---

Karl found the talk of Beacon Hills interesting. “You have actual Druids?” Well, that certainly told him a few things.

He followed Nick’s lead, for now, especially as higher in the hierarchy than himself. Karl watched the other wolves, ready for a fight if needed, but not necessarily looking for one.

The other trio looked at Nick, Karl, and Scott. The leader kind of had a biker/Irish descendents look about him, while the other two looked like an Indigenous person and the third like he should be captain of a football team and Mr. Popular. Meanwhile, Karl wore a suit, which gave the werewolves something else to eye.

“Yeah, I’d say your new in Midnight. I’m Cal. Pack Alpha.” Okay, well that seemed on point. He nodded towards the Indigenous man. “Fox is my Beta, and that’s Evan.” Okay, cool, they also had Pack hierarchy. Karl said nothing, because, again, out of the three, he ranked lowest in hierarchy here.

---

Nick nodded. “Hey. I’m Nick. This is my Packmate Karl, and our friend Scott.” He’d let Scott decide whether or not to out himself as an Alpha amidst these other wolves.

“We noticed some looks from the patrons inside. Sorry, like Scott said we’re new.” Cal looked condescending that the mention of witches. “We don’t frequent the witch coffee shops. Only the mortal ones. Witch magic fucking reaks.” Oh. Okay cool. Nick would definitely be texted Paige and Sav to watch themselves in this place.

“Witch magic…is just magic?” Which seemed like the wrong thing to say, based on the snars which followed. Nick held up a hand. “Whoa! This isn’t our world. We’re sorry. The only people we know at all are the Duval brothers and we don’t really know them.” Which worked out fine for Nick, because Damien annoyed the fuck out of Nick at the bar and Bran kind of terrified him. “Not that we’re fans or friends of theirs,” he hastily continued and fuck he needed to stop talking. Now the wolves were starting to eye them with hostility. “Look, we don’t know the rules and we’re sorry.”

---

Scott had learned that announcing he was an Alpha unless he needed to often caused issues. Back home he never had to ‘out’ himself as people generally knew. Being a True Alpha was a big deal in his world and not necessarily in a good way most of the time. People generally wanted to try their hand at taking him down. So he didn’t immediately say anything. He was also aware that he was younger than everyone else here, though he could legally drink, which was cool.

He hated expected this to spiral like it did, so he found himself naturally taking a step forward, not necessarily between Nick and the others, but almost. It was instinctual. “Maybe you can tell us the better places to go while we’re here so we don’t make the same mistake again.” Not that he thought it was a mistake. He was friends with witches and other magical people, but he doubted they’d be able to reason whatever prejudice away from the men in front of them.

---

If Karl could have, he would start banging his head on the building. He loved Nick, but sometimes his Pack brother made…decisions. The word himbo could definitely describe Nick at times, but usually that succeeded. This time it…did not.

“Most of the human coffee shops and regular shops start the next block over,” the one named Fox mentioned. He seemed the least confrontational, for which Karl felt grateful.

---

Nick decided to not say anything else at the moment, allowing Scott to take over this whole conversation. While not of Elena’s Pack, he still held the title Alpha.

“How did you end up here then?” the youngest of the three asked. “We don’t usually get newcomers.” Nick wondered how to best answer. “Would you believe us if we said a portal? We’ll be gone in a few days and your life will return to normal.” Gods willing without any memory of this incident.

Cal eyed them with weariness. “Not the craziest thing we’ve heard, although that still begs the question how you know the Duvals.”

---

Scott had been worried about explaining portals, but then it seemed like maybe it was a reasonable possibility. Even so, Scott wondered as he spoke if it was even going to sound plausible.

“They… visited where we’re from and kind of made themselves known. It’s a small place where we’re from. And when the portal opened they mentioned this place and we wanted to check it out.” Scott did his best to make it not sound like a question even if he was unsure they’d buy it. It was true, but he had to wonder how plausible it was. “We didn’t realize there was such an, uh, divide here. But we’re werewolves just like you.” So therefore Scott was hoping there’d be no problems.

---

Karl said nothing, noting the other trio seemed slightly more relaxed with Scott’s explanation. The Duvals weren’t anyone he’d spoken to and given their tendency of annoying Nick, he figured that worked out best for everyone.

“If you’re werewolves, then best stay away from vampires and witches. Fae don’t care and humans are humans. But fair warning. Never thank a Fae, even for something as innocent as holding a door for you.” Cal looked at the two members of his pack. “We better get back home and prepare for the full moon.” To the trio he added, “You’re welcome to come run with us as long as you don’t smell like witch or,” he stopped, “Whatever the fuck scent you have on you.” Karl bristled at the description of his wife’s scent, but said nothing. The younger werewolf noticed and grinned, obviously enjoying Karl’s discomfort.

---

Nick nodded. “We’ll keep that in mind.” His head now hurt. A lot. “Thanks for the invite.” He wouldn’t yay or nay anything without first discussing with Elena, obviously. Plus, given Scott’s pack included Lydia, he really didn’t want to speak for Scott.

---

His face semi-winced at the clear insult to Karl’s wife, though he tried his best to keep his expression neutral. It was only his eyes that twitched, but he got it under control. Really, he was just glad it seemed as if Karl had managed to keep his anger in check. He wasn’t so sure someone like Malia or Liam would be able to do the same.

Despite his ‘Pollyana views’ as was once had been described about Scott, he could tell he probably would not have a good time running with people like this. Not that he went running with the non-weres in his pack. Lydia did enough exercise to stay fit and she’d made it clear running in the woods in the middle of the night was only reserved for life-and-death events and she was ‘over those’. Suddenly he felt a bit of pity for the werewolves in front of them. He wondered how many awesome friends they were missing out on. Maybe a little bit of that showed in his eyes.

Of course, then he let himself slip up while he tried to be polite. “I’ll talk to my pack and we’ll see.” He had meant it to be non-committal, but now the twenty-one year old simply hoped they’d take it as he’d go back and present it to everyone, not that he was an Alpha.

---

The other werewolves nodded, accepting what they said and began to walk away. Karl waited until the other trio were turning a corner a block away and looked at Nick. “No. Absolutely the fuck no are we running with them. I don’t care what Elena, Kitty, or even Kate say. I don’t want to do anything which might bring harm to my wife or our daughter.” Okay, so sometimes Karl didn’t do hierarchy very well. He looked at Scott. “I don’t trust that they’d treat you well either.” But even Karl knew better than to try and dictate to an Alpha.

---

Nick looked at Karl. “No. Absolutely not. We should probably warn Savannah and Paige as well.” Not that they shouldn’t visit the portal, but they should watch their backs after all.

He looked at Scott. “How about the three of us run tonight instead? It’s been a hot minute and we do have more woods back home.” Because Nick did not think they should take their chances here.”

---

Scott had no intentions either. He shook his head. “I just sort of said that to make them happy? I doubt they’ll think too much about any of us after ten minutes from now… but I’m definitely kind of glad Beacon Hill is the way it is.” Though truthfully, he preferred Madison over it all. He just wished there were a few more people from home here.

“A run would be nice though. I’m hoping the moon feels more normal than our new one.” He didn’t hate the new one, but it was taking some time to get used to. It’d be nice to go for a run with both of them again too.